Method and apparatus for using position location to direct narrow beam antennas

• US 20050288034A1
• Filed: 02/10/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bruce A. Judson, Christopher C. Riddle
• Original Assignee: Bruce A. Judson, Christopher C. Riddle
• Inventors: Riddle, Christopher C., Judson, Bruce A.
• Application Number:
  US11/055,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20050288034A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/51 Relative positioning
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/008 using a mobile telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/46 using antennas spaced apart and measuring phase or time difference between signals therefrom, i.e. path-difference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/26 varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture H01Q3/12, H01Q3/22, H01Q3/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/06 Airborne or Satellite Networks space-based or airborne stations H04B7/185
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

A novel mobile unit which communicates with a new and advantageous base station. The mobile unit includes a system for generation of position information and a transceiver for transmitting the position information. In the preferred embodiment, the transceiver is a CDMA system and the system for generating position information includes an arrangement for receiving a GPS signal. In the preferred embodiment, a GPS assisted arrangement is employed which is adapted to receive a signal from an airborne platform as well as from a satellite based platform. The inventive base station is adapted to receive position information from a remote unit and provide a received position signal in response thereto. The novel base station is further equipped with a mechanism for directing a beam in response to the received position signal. In the illustrative embodiment, the mechanism for directing the beam is a smart antenna system including an antenna array and a beamforming network for driving the array to output the directed beam.

Claims

1. A mobile transceiver having:

a system for generation of position information and

means for transmitting said position information.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said system for generation of position information includes means for receiving a signal from a satellite.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said system for generation of position information includes means for receiving a Global Positioning System signal.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said system for generation of position information includes means for receiving a signal from an airborne platform.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said means for transmitting said position information includes a CDMA transmitter.

6. A base station having:

means for receiving position information from a remote unit and providing a received position signal in response thereto and

means for directing a beam in response to said received position signal.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said position information is provided at least in part by a Global Positioning System.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said remote unit is a mobile transceiver.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said mobile transceiver is a CDMA transceiver.

10. The invention of claim 8 wherein said beam is directed to said transceiver.

11. The invention of claim 6 wherein said means for directing a beam includes a smart antenna.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein said means for directing a beam includes an antenna array.

13. The invention of claim 12 further including means for driving said array to output a directed beam.

14. The invention of claim 13 wherein said means for driving includes a beamforming network.

15. A cellular communications system comprising:

a mobile transceiver having;

a GPS system for generation of position information and

means for transmitting said position information and

a base station having;

means for receiving said position information and providing a received position signal in response thereto and

means located at said base station for directing a beam in response to said received position signal.

16. The invention of claim 15 wherein said GPS system is GPS assisted.

17. The invention of claim 15 wherein said means for directing a beam includes a smart antenna.

18. The invention of claim 17 wherein said means for directing a beam includes an antenna array.

19. The invention of claim 18 further including means for driving said array to output a directed beam.

20. The invention of claim 19 wherein said means for driving includes a beamforming network.

21. A method for effecting directional cellular communications including the steps of:

generating position information at a mobile transceiver;

transmitting said position information;

means for receiving said position information at a base station and providing a received position signal in response thereto; and

directing a beam from said base station to said mobile transceiver in response to said received position signal.